Ottley Russell Coulter

Ottley Russell Coulter (June 6, 1890 - December 17, 1976) was an American strongman, circus performer, weightlifter and police officer. He was a co-founder of the American Continental Weightlifting Association, and the author of a book about strength athletics.

Early life Coulter was born on June 6, 1890, in Parkman, Ohio. He attended Hiram College for two years and dropped out. including for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He also worked for US Steel. He was an early proponent of tracking progress in the performance of weight-lifters. In 1952, he authored of a book about strength athletics. Coulter had three children. They resided in Lemont Furnace. His wife predeceased him in 1972.

Coulter died on December 17, 1976, in Lemont Furnace, at age 86. He was buried in the Sylvan Heights Cemetery.

Selected works